The Arboretum of the Monceau-sur-Sambre

The Arboretum of the Serna park

The Arboretum of the Serna park in Jumet boasts 30 sites and is located in one of the most surprising green areas in the region. The Serna park is kept in a semi-wild state which allows visitors to enjoy its marvellous natural riches.

The parks are open to the public all year round. The two arboretums can be visited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Monday, from May to September. Walking circuits are marked and signs provide educational information. However, visitors can also enjoy walking round while listening to comments on a walkman or in the company of a nature guide for groups. Tel.: 071.866.152. Tourist Office.

The Leisure Centre of Marcinelle

Located in a wooded estate covering over 150 hectares, the Leisure Centre of Marcinelle offers a wide range of leisure and recreation activities: a youth centre with an accommodation capacity of 120 beds, a restaurant with 360 places, a projection room, meeting rooms, nautical centre, sports facilities, game park and mini-golf. Four marked circuits and a health circuit trail through the woods of the Centre. The marvellous site of the Grands Lacs has become a privileged meeting place for all lovers of nature, sport and relaxation. Visitors are seduced by the beauty of the lakes where you can enjoy kayaking, fishing and "pedaloing". Water lovers will enjoy the olympic swimming-pool with two slides, diving pool, diving board, paddling-pool and solarium.
Numerous events make the Centre come alive during the year: Waterside concerts, the International Festival of Folk Dance from 15 to 21 July, the equestrian rally on 15 August and the "Festival de Marionettes". Children are invited to follow forest discovery classes during the school year or music courses in summer.
Tennis takes pride of place at the end of May when the Astrid Bowl tournament brings together the world's best juniors.

The Centre houses an Archaeological Museum. The collection of the museum is made up of items found over the last twenty years by the Circle of history and archaeology of Marcinelle during excavations carried out in various areas, notably on the site des Templiers and in the Roman villa discovered in Marcinelle. Donations, collections or new acquisitions may be added to these discoveries made in the region.

Avenue des Muguets, 16 - 6001 Marcinelle
Tel.: 071.297.400. Fax: 071.47.26.86.
Swimming-pool open from 15 May to 1 September.
Museum open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guided tours of the museum and the site des Templiers by appointment for groups. Closed from Christmas to the end of January.

The RAVeL

Follow the RAVeL (Réseau Autonome des Voies Lentes - Autonomous Network of Slow Tracks)
The RAVeL is a project run by the Walloon Region aimed at preserving and developing disused railway tracks and tow paths. These routes are reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, persons with reduced mobility and horse riders. It is an original way to discover Charleroi. The first RAVel project in Charleroi was “La Houillère”. 14 km of slow tracks link two working stations (Roux and Châtelet). The circuit goes through built-up areas, over slag heaps, through woods, across fields, alongside rivers, by châteaus and industrial ruins, etc.